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Giant thanks due to Jerry Hou, Trevor Cook, Joel Balzun, and everyone involved in the recording project.
<b>Zen Koans and Commentaries</b>
<i>from “The Gateless Gate”</i>
Text compiled and written by Wumen Huikai in 1228 AD
Translated by Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps in 1934
please note: the text in italics is in the original but not sung
I. What is Buddha
<i>A monk asked Ummon:</i> "What is Buddha?"
<i>Ummon answered him:</i> "Dried dung."
II. Interlude
<i>(no text)</i>
III. Joshu Washes the Bowl
<i>A monk told Joshu:</i> "I have just entered the monastery. Please teach me."
<i>Joshu asked: </i>"Have you eaten your rice porridge?"
<i>The monk replied: </i>"I have eaten."
<i>Joshu said:</i> "Then you had better wash your bowl."
<i>At that moment the monk was enlightened.</i>
IV. Commentary on Joshu Washes the Bowl
It is too clear and so it is hard to see.
A dunce once searched for a fire with a lighted lantern. Had he known what fire was,
He could have cooked his rice much sooner.
V. What is Buddha
A monk asked Tozan when he was weighing some flax: "What is Buddha?"
Tozan said: "This flax weighs three pounds."
VI. Zuigan Calls His Own Master
Zuigan <i>called out to himself every day: </i>"Master."
<i>Then he answered himself:</i> "Yes, sir."
<i>And after that he added:</i> "Become sober."
<i>Again he answered:</i> "Yes, sir."
"And after that," <i>he continued,</i> "do not be deceived by others."
"Yes, sir; yes, sir," <i>he answered.</i>
VII. Commentary on Zuigan Calls His Own Master
Some in search of the Way do not realize true self,
For they only recognize the ego-soul.
This is the seed of birth and death through endless eons, And foolish people call it the true self.
VIII. Interlude
<i>(no text)</i>
IX. What is Buddha
<i>Daibai asked Baso:</i> "What is Buddha?"
<i>Baso said: </i>"This mind is Buddha."
<i>A monk asked Baso:</i> "What is Buddha?"
<i> Baso said:</i> "This mind is not Buddha."